Xavier Becerra

At the median of his first term, Gov. Gavin Newsom has faced vexing challenges — some of his own making. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Politics

Midway through plagued first term, Newsom’s career hits make-or-break point

How California’s governor manages a critical COVID surge and its economic blows will likely define his political future. Will he recover from recent stumbles?

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• December 10, 2020

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

California politicians play musical offices

California's politicians are playing musical chairs as Gov. Gavin Newsom mulls appointments to high-profile offices.

By

Dan Walters

• December 8, 2020

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra

WhatMatters

Biden taps California AG for Cabinet health job — handing Newsom a rare opportunity

Let the political jockeying begin — again. With the surprise announcement Sunday that President-elect Joe Biden chose California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as his secretary of health and human services, Gov. Gavin Newsom could be staring down at least two — and quite possibly three — high-stakes political appointments. If Becerra is confirmed by the […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• December 7, 2020

Commentary

Identity politics vs. melting pot vision

Calfiornia Gov. Gavin Newsom is being pressed by various identity groups on his looming appointment to the U.S. Senate.

By

Dan Walters

• November 25, 2020

WhatMatters

California leads fight to defend Obamacare

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, November 10. Note: The newsletter will pause Wednesday in recognition of Veterans Day. I’ll be back in your inbox on Thursday. Health insurance on the line Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare — […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• November 10, 2020

WhatMatters

How California will influence DC

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, November 9. Harris’ historic win How things have changed for California. With the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next president and vice president, the Golden State — which spent the past four years mired in a contentious relationship and more than 100 lawsuits with the Trump […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• November 9, 2020

Jack Van Rooy places his mail-in ballot envelope into an official drop box in Visalia on Oct. 19, 2020. Photo by Lewis Griswold for CalMatters.

Elections

Here’s why election officials say no need to hand deliver mail ballot

California election officials assure voters their ballot is safe in drop boxes and the mail, yet some voters are hand delivering anyway.

By

Lewis Griswold

• October 21, 2020

A voter deposits her ballot at an official box at Emeryville City Hall on Oct. 15, 2020. The California GOP has run afoul of Democratic state elections officials for placing its own boxes in or outside of gun shops, churches and other spots. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Politics

In ballot box battle, Dems and GOP both claim victory. Why this fight fizzled.

In a press conference seemingly designed to deescalate a week-long legal standoff, declare victory and profoundly confuse the California press corps, Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Secretary of State Alex Padilla said they would not be taking legal action against the California Republican Party for its makeshift ballot box program. But the two Democrats insisted […]

By

Ben Christopher

• October 16, 2020

City of Redlands work crews install a ballot drop box in front of a Police Department building at the city's corporate yard on Thursday morning in Riverside on Oct. 1, 2020. Secure boxes will be located across the county and are one way for voters to return their ballots. Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG

WhatMatters

‘Ballot harvesting’ battle ramps up — legal fight seems imminent

The political stakes of the ongoing face-off between the California Republican Party and some of the state’s top Democratic elected officials over “ballot harvesting” practices just got a lot higher. The California GOP said it would not stop collecting voter ballots in unofficial drop boxes in a Wednesday letter to Secretary of State Alex Padilla […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• October 15, 2020

A voter drops her ballot into the box at San Francisco City Hall on Super Tuesday 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California ballot battles heat up

The closer the November election gets, the tenser California’s political climate becomes. Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Attorney General Xavier Becerra — both Democrats — sent a cease-and-desist letter Monday to the California Republican Party, demanding it remove unofficial ballot drop boxes set up outside of churches and gun shops in several counties. The […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• October 13, 2020